Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!  It's 25th December 2012!

 Early in the morning we skyped home and wished everyone a Merry Christmas, even though it was only in the evening before there. This is Dad and our oldest son.

 We ate Cinnamon Bun Ring for breakfast but without our traditional eggnog.

 Our daughter organized and hosted the Christmas Eve gathering at our home in Canada.

 Here, in Bangalore, we hosted a gathering for lunch on Christmas day.  Look at those well worn, dusty shoes, whose owners have worn them out in the service of the Lord!  Wow, I'm so impressed at the hard workers who have gathered to celebrate with us in partaking of a meal.

 The line up for lunch.

Since there isn't enough table space, the living room seats some.

 All seem to be getting enough to eat.

 Everyone seems happy with the food.

 Salads here, like potato, macaroni, cole slaw and layered jello (a family tradition). Elder Coombs is eating North American food like chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy & mixed veggies

 Indian cuisine on this end of the counter, Veg Biryani, Rotis, Dahl & Raita.

 Apple Crisp

 Around the Christmas dinner table

 Desserts a-plenty!  I was impressed that Elder Randall brought the brownies!

 back left: Elder Coombs, President Funk, Elder Henrie, Elder Ramaraj, Elder Christensen

middle: Elder Vinck, Elder Randall, Elder Yardley, Elder Sarkies, Elder P. Kumar, Elder Worton, Elder Bean, Elder Morrill, Elder George

Front row: Elder Kothangi, Elder Wigg, Sister Wigg, Elder Srigiri, Elder Ganaparam

down in front: Elder Thanniru, Elder Kullai

 If you noticed, Elder George is taller in this photo!

 Elder Henrie, Elder Bean, Elder Coombs & Elder Morrill

 Elder Thanniru & Elder Kothangi

 Elder Ganaparam & Elder Sarkies

Elder Thanniru & Elder Bean

 Host & hostess of the day

 Elder Thanniru, Sister Wigg, Elder Wigg, Elder Kothangi

 Elder Christensen & Elder Coombs

 Elder Worton, Elder Randall, Elder Ramaraj, Elder Yardley

 Elder Morrill & Elder George

 Elder Wigg loves Elder P. Kumar's hamhok handshake!

 Elder P. Kumar's hamhok 

 Elder Wigg & President Funk (Sister Funk is in USA for their son's wedding)

 Elder P. Kumar & Elder Henrie

 Elder Srigiri & Elder Vinck, the assistants

 This is our Christmas photo that accompanied our email letter to friends and family this year.

Beautiful flowers from President Funk.  Thank you so much.  

They are lovely Christmas colors and I love roses!  The red stands for the love of the Savior because of the Atonement and the green stands for creation, which Jesus did for us.  The white stands for purity.  That's always a good goal to have.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!  In India, it's Happy Christmas!

BLR Zone Conference

December 18th was Bangalore Zone Conference. It was a fun and spiritual day.

 A special musical number - A Christmas Hymn

 Elder Katuka & Elder Kothangi

 Elder Kashyap, Elder Katuka, Elder Ganaparam, Elder Kothangi

 Elder Katuka and Elder Ganaparam are finishing their missions soon.

 Elder Hyer, Elder Watts, Elder Worton, Elder Yelisetti

Elder Katuka, Elder Randall, Elder P. Kumar, Elder Henrie, Elder Yardley, Elder Ramaraj 

 First we took this district picture, then they said, you are in this district, too.  So we joined in.

 This is our district: Elder Katuka, Elder Randall, Elder Srigiri, Elder P. Kumar, Elder Henrie, Elder Vinck, Elder Yardley, Elder Ramaraj, Elder Wigg, Sister Wigg

 Elder Kothangi, Elder Thanniru, Elder Kandukuri, Elder Kashyap, Elder Ganaparam, Elder Coombs, Elder Sarkies, Elder Christensen

 Elder George, Elder Morrill, Elder Bean, Elder Kullai

Farewell, Elder Katuka. 

Here he is shown at the Mission Home with President and Sister Funk.

10k at 10pm

We heard that one of our friends was running in a 10 k at 10 pm after the Whitefield Road Christmas Party, so I asked if we could come along to watch.

I know, it's crazy to do it, but it was such fun!

There was a marathon at midnight and a 10k run at 10pm.

 Brother Christensen before the race.

 There was a band with live music...well...mostly drums, as always.

 They are so colorful and loud!

 Wow...Good for you Bangalore!

 The signs set the mood and show the surroundings.

 The front-runners burst out strong.

 There's Brother Christensen.

 Finishing the first 5k lap

 Starting the 2nd 5k lap

 We were in short sleeves and it felt cold this evening.  But it was so fun!

 The Christensen family was waiting patiently, though tired and chilly.

 Here he comes!  Finishing his 10k!  Good on ya!

 I love this shot of the '5' for the family!

 And there he goes...

 I had a fun time taking pictures of him.

And he goes right on by to the finish line!  Good job!